Chef Andrew Black: From Jamaica to Oklahoma City

Chef Andrew Black's path from Jamaica to Oklahoma City is a story of food, discipline, and belonging. The 2023 James Beard Award winner shares the standard beneath his work: never cheat the product. Andrew joins Jed Chappell to talk about the family traditions that shaped his cooking, the years of hard work beneath visible success, and why Oklahoma City became home. He remembers the rhythms of his grandmother's kitchen, explains why consistency protects the integrity of a product, and offers practical guidance for anyone learning a craft: find good mentors, stay humble, work hard, keep dreaming, and remain present. The conversation also turns toward the city that supported his work. Andrew believes a handshake should still mean something, businesses should meet real community needs, and success should create more room to serve. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR How Andrew's Jamaican upbringing shaped his approach to food Why consistency matters more than one excellent day Advice for aspiring chefs, entrepreneurs, and young leaders The difference between thinking about a problem and worrying about it What Oklahoma City should preserve as it grows CHAPTERS 00:00 Food, community, and Oklahoma City 01:46 Dreaming, evolving, and staying grounded 03:17 From Jamaica to hotel kitchens 05:33 Why Oklahoma City became home 07:10 Finding a life in the kitchen 09:31 Saturday mornings with his grandmother 13:06 Advice for aspiring chefs 15:19 No excuses and finding the right mentors 17:42 How culture changes a roadblock 20:34 Thinking without worrying 25:18 Building what the community needs 28:15 Grey Sweater, Dougla, Perle Mesta, and Sonny's ABOUT CHEF ANDREW BLACK Andrew Black is an Oklahoma City chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur and the 2023 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southwest. Born in Jamaica to an Indo-Jamaican family, he leads hospitality concepts including Grey Sweater, Dougla Kitchen, Perle Mesta, and Sonny's Kitchen & Bar. LINKS Chef Andrew Black: https://chefandrewblack.com/ Chef Andrew Black on Instagram:   / chefandrewblack   VOICES of OKC: https://www.voicesofokc.com/ City Center: https://okcitycenter.org/ VOICES of OKC is a student-produced civic podcast from City Center spotlighting the people, stories, and ideas shaping Oklahoma City. City Center brings relief and restoration to youth and families living in under-resourced neighborhoods of Oklahoma City. Subscribe to VOICES of OKC for thoughtful conversations with the people shaping Oklahoma City. Share this episode with an aspiring chef, entrepreneur, or leader who is learning how to build without losing the standard beneath the work. #VOICESofOKC #OklahomaCity #ChefAndrewBlack